At different points in my life I’ve been forced to ask myself, “Roost or fly?” I’ve almost always chosen “roost,” and now I’m wondering if I’ve just been playing it safe? Being me, I can argue it both ways, so I’m no closer to figuring out what I should do now, with this question looming in my foreground once again.
I’m 29 years old, and because I’ve chosen to “roost” in the past I can now make the following statements:
a.) I have bought and paid off a car.
b.) I own a (town)house.
c.) I have two cats.
d.) I have a bachelors degree in corporate communications.
e.) I have a masters degree in communications.
f.) I have held a single job for 7+ years and counting, complete with a 401K and health insurance.
g.) I have been able to travel (quite a bit, actually).
If I had traveled a less-certain path, I probably would not have had many of the experiences I’ve managed to chalk up since graduating from Elon in 2001. I wouldn’t have had the money, the time, the resources… the security.
But sometimes I can’t help but wonder when it’s going to be the “right time” to stretch my wings beyond the safety of what I know. To take a leap of faith and try for something different, challenging, new… something scary.
Where do I want to live? What do I want to do? What do I want to be… to become? What series of events, set of internal feelings or spontaneous impulse will cause me to abandon my carefully cultivated nest and fly?
Change is scary. Hell the THOUGHT of change is scary. And yet, sometimes change is just what we need.
Take some time, do some research, and see what you find. It could be grand…
you say
“I wouldn’t have had the money, the time, the resources… the security.”
but that isn’t necessarily fair nor accurate. perhaps you’d have MORE money, MORE security and MORE resources.
I am not saying question your decisions, but I am just pointing out that you need to give possible positive futures just as much chance and credibility as negative/neutral possible futures.
Make sense?
PS: Shed yourself of the Republican steriotype and say…change is good! 😉
Buddha says come live near us and worry about the rest later!!
With the possibility of a very big change looming in front of me, I’m scared shitless. But I’m finding the equal possibility of no change at all just as (if not more) terrifying. And the not knowing is even worse than that.
I feel guilty that it affects you so directly. I think I’m extraordinarily lucky to have a co-worker who’s also a best friend. And I never get tired of you. You are the one bright spot.
But in life, as in “What Not to Wear,” there’s a fine line between comfortable and frumpy. We can both become so much more than this place will allow. **HUG**
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” (John A. Shedd)
Oh this kind of thing f***s with my mind to no end. So many thoughts and so little to say definitively.
As someone who did quite a bit of “wandering” in my early life, having a “roost” can be quite nice to have at hand, but only you can decide what part applies to your life you are living at the present time. A life’s path can have many branches, be paved or rough cut into the wilderness, have a slight downward slant in the direction you are traveling or with steep and rocky climbs and falls. Just have fun flying/treading your way across the landscape or puttering in the familiar at home. Remember, family and friends will welcome you with open arms no matter where you go and what you do and support you in everything. Just don’t forget the communications enroute your destination!!
Jen
if you never try it you will always question yourself and say, “what if”? Give it six months to a year, you can always come back. good luck!